Police lathicharge anti-liquor protesters in Pondy

Puducherry: Around 250 people today blocked roads at a village near here protesting against liquor shops in the area, while some agitators ransacked the outlets leading to a police lathicharge in which a few were injured.

Residents of Soriyankuppam village were seeking cancellation of licenses given to liquor shops for relocation from highways (Puducherry-Cuddalore route) to villages, the police said.

Some agitators ransacked around seven liquor shops in the village, demanding that the government shut them down in the interest of the people, they said.

The police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd, in which some people were injured, the police said, adding that five of the protesters were taken into custody.

Later, the villagers protested against the police action and sought release of those taken into custody.

The police is maintaining tight vigil in the village.

All India (NR) Congress MP R Radhakrishnan condemned the use of force against the protesters.

Tamil Nadu has also been witnessing protests against the presence of liquor shops.